I'm Leaving Goodbye Forum Users

[Fox 5,330]

What? I'm leaving? Nonono, but here's the problem. I'm sure some elder members understand what I'm about to talk about... For you newcomers/whippersnappers, I'm here to open a thread to discuss why we should limit "Goodbye" threads, and maybe to convince others to stay on the forum.

These are the main reasons why people make these threads:

• [*]Forum Drama [*]Bored of Forum [*]Attention [*]School/Work [*]Other
  

If you happen to be undergoing some forum drama... take the innoiative, and fill a report than sob about something that can be solved. If it's something more serious, it'll take a bit more time, but rest assure... I'm sure it can be helped. Forum drama seems to be a constant anyways....



At this point of time we're in a state of boredom, because we have no more pony episodes to talk about. How you solve this is really up to you. I'd suggest joining in the making of fan projects to keep your hooves busy. I know I produced a bit of MLP Fan stuff over the summer. Plus, there's tons of fan-made art, animations, games, crafts, and the list goes too far.

I am a class clown.. I crave attention always, but some people come on this forum with major issues seeking comfort, and love. I don't think we should infringe our problems among other people, and make them feel guilty and stressed afterwards, because your resentful. We should remain calm, and love the forum for ponies!

School is starting, and people need to keep the priorities straight by keeping focused on their studies. It happens, and sometimes people have to leave for a period of time because of work too. If you either get departed to Afghanistan, or another work related departure. I work, I'm busy, I know.

Other could be a whole list of reasons, but I thought I'd share an example of a good reason to make a "Goodbye" thread. Where there's something to learn from it. For the few members that knew Ol' Sarge he had something unfortunate happen. The gist of the conflict was you had to be more careful, because people take stuff too seriously.

Those are my thoughts of people leaving the forums. I just want people to ask if it's really necessary to make a leaving thread? Versus just making a simplistic status update. I've seen a few people put their online status as private to avoid peeking around secretly. A forum is a medium where ideas and views on a particular topic can be exchanged. Not to say your farewells, and why you hate the site...

What I'm asking for the moderating team, is hiding unnecessary "Goodbye" threads.

Edited April 3, 2013 by Fox
Fixing the broken image.

[XUNUSEDXXX 3,459]

I've seen a few people put their online status as private to avoid peeking around secretly.e. >_<

 

Or some people do that just to make their profile as information-less as possible. They, most of the time, delete every trace about them on their profile.

 

Anyway, I agree that they should tone down the drama aspect. I absolutely despise it when people say something like, "I'm leaving the forums bla bla bla because this happened, but I'm not gonna go into detail"... You're just asking for drama with that. But I don't mind if people just announce they're leaving and just leave so we know that they didn't just disappear.

[Akemi Homura 7,680]

I can't speak for every member who's left on the site, due to whatever reason it may be (school, family, job, etc.), but maybe just taking a break like Doctor Fizzle did a few weeks ago would be beneficial for both sides. I've experienced the same feelings of burning out and not really contributing much, thus putting a strain on myself that needs to be resolved ASAP...

 

However, I'm a firm believer in trying to make time for yourself and the Forums if it's that important to you. I'm not going to be ignorant and say the Forums aren't the biggest thing in the world, because it truly does feel like it for some members on here. How you choose to conduct yourself is entirely and ultimately up to the parties involved, but personally, I wouldn't recommend leaving "prematurely" if your interest in the Forums declines a bit as you go along, because that might just be an indicator that you need some time to yourself to recharge and reboot, and then come back.

 

Sometimes people just move on, however. I've reluctantly come to accept that, as per the Shankveld leaving thread (I'm sure you're all familiar with her), but in that case, lots of people would genuinely be sad that a beneficiary to the Forums suddenly threw in the towel one day. It wouldn't "hurt" to make a leaving thread in under those circumstances. Painful for everyone, really, because people who are known to be friends to the community have made their mark on here and would really be sorely missed.

 

On a side note, season three needs to come here sooner - I'm still expecting a massive surge in posts once it hits and thus, lots of people will talk about it and start making threads over what happened during a season three episode, and that in turn will generate a lot of attention to the rest of the internet.

 

So, fear not! Bright and awesome folks will be coming to the Forums soon enough, and I have no doubt they'll fit right in with the rest of us.

[Dusty Soul 2,611]

I agree, people should tone down on the drama aspect, because it seems that people never go into detail about things. I'm all for announcing your leaving, I actually would like it if they just announced they're leaving.

[Finesthour 7,287]

Or, we could let people scream bloody murder every single time something goes wrong on the forum.

We're in a state where we have NOTHING to talk about. It's like every single Bleach forum died because the manga ended. There is nothing to talk about.

Same with us. We're bored as fuck, like you said.

 

But let them scream all this stuff. It's going to happen anyway.

[XUNUSEDXXX 3,459]

Or, we could let people scream bloody murder every single time something goes wrong on the forum.

We're in a state where we have NOTHING to talk about. It's like every single Bleach forum died because the manga ended. There is nothing to talk about.

Same with us. We're bored as fuck, like you said.

 

This is a point too. These people who have left might come back when S3 starts, but we shouldn't make TOO many judgements until the next season comes around and the episodes roll out.

[NavelColt 22,881]

I'm still having just as much as fun as I ever had. 'Nothing to talk about' doesn't apply to me in the least. It's too bad I appear to be a minority in that respect.

[Pinkazoid 3,493]

It'll be a shame to see ya'h gone, any member leaving is a shame, no matter what the reason, I guess good luck on whatever :3

 

Oh geez, that was embarrassing, I finally got the time to read the post, I jumped to assumptions, and thought you were leaving, sorry 'bout that mate

Edited September 17, 2012 by Pinkazoid The Cat :3

[Nah 3,182]

Aw, it's sad to see another member leave, either I'm ignorant or just stupid, I haven't noticed much forum drama around, however, I understand your reasons, school is starting to getting on me too and dig into my time here.

 

Goodbye Fox, I'm gonna miss you and your pranks.

[NavelColt 22,881]

Goes to show people don't actually read the posts. They aren't leaving, people. Read the post more carefully. First sentence, even.

[Retro*Derpy 3,186]

I say if you're going to leave, just leave. If there is friends on here you still want to talk to tell them your skype/xfire/raidcall etc. and talk there. It's not that huge of a deal.

Edited January 8, 2014 by Zeckiu

[Dimitri Hammer 3,645]

Don't worry I'll ever leave. That will comfort everyone I'm sure. No one will have to see a thread saying that I will leave!

[Pinkazoid 3,493]

Goes to show people don't actually read the posts. They aren't leaving, people. Read the post more carefully. First sentence, even.

 

Sorry, 'bout that

 

My dad called me told me to shut down the computer, I'm on my phone now, and I barely got a chance to read the full post, I kinda jumped to assumptions, considering the title said "I'm leaving the forums"

 

My honest mistake.

[Doctor XFizzle 8,669]

If you're (speaking to everyone) going to make a giant topic about leaving, then quite frankly (no sugarcoating), you shouldn't return. Giant goodbye topics are an attention grab. When I took my break I slipped out the back door. No big topic, no big status or blog entry. I just PMed a couple close friends to tell them what was up and went on my way.

 

A goodbye topic implies finality. If you make a topic every time you want to leave, but then don't, then it'll turn into a Boy Who Cried Wolf situation. I recommend taking a break, with zero fanfare or needing to tell everyone, then come back whenever you feel like it.

 

This post sounds kinda mean and insensitive when I go and read back over it lol, but goodbye topics are becoming a little too commonplace.

 

^clarification, I mean the goodbye posts because you feel the forums are changing, or because you don't like a person. If you have legitimate reasons to leave like for school or work, then by all means do it. If it's a burnout reason, then take a break.

Edited September 17, 2012 by Doctor XFizzle

[Fox 5,330]

Aw, it's sad to see another member leave, either I'm ignorant or just stupid, I haven't noticed much forum drama around, however, I understand your reasons, school is starting to getting on me too and dig into my time here.

 

Goodbye Fox, I'm gonna miss you and your pranks.

 

What? I'm leaving? Nonono, but here's the problem. I'm sure some elder members understand what I'm about to talk about... For you newcomers/whippersnappers, I'm here to open a thread to discuss why we should limit "Goodbye" threads, and maybe to convince others to stay on the forum.

^^^^^^^ Read it carefully. Ahahahaha, I'm not leaving mate don't worry! I'm hear to stay for all the forums upcoming silly shenanigans! Never thought I'd quote myself. XD

[Flicker Sweet 3,391]

jeez give a guy a heart attack!!!!

I agree, but jeez don't do that to me man!

[Twilight Sparkle ✨ 8,527]

I've certainly noticed a trend of "I'm leaving forever!" topics causing some minor drama at best, and convincing other members to leave as well at worst. And I have also seen more than just a few people who openly declared their intentions to leave return - often sooner rather than later.

 

It's a complex issue to address, because you never know how sincere the member claiming that their time with MLP Forums is over may be.

 

A forum is a medium where ideas and views on a particular topic can be exchanged. Not to say your farewells, and why you hate the site...

 

What I'm asking for the moderating team, is hiding unnecessary "Goodbye" threads.

 

Depending on how you look at it, banning "goodbye" threads may be a drastic step to take, as we would thereby choke off a method of letting the community know that you won't be around anymore. If you have made a significant investment into the community and became a well-known user, I think it's only fair that you have a way of notifying people that you're leaving.

 

But on the other hand, "Goodbye"-type topics are a method of selfishly harping on yourself by attempting to attract the entire site's attention to the fact that you're leaving. Honestly, I'm not sure how much it can really do other than cause unwarranted drama, especially considering how vague many of these topics tend to be with their reasons for the leave. "The forums have changed" or "There is someone harassing me privately (whom I refuse to add to my ignore list and report to the moderators)" are two prime examples of common reasons for leaving that accomplish absolutely nothing constructive.

 

In the case of an issue between two members making them unable to stand each other, one of them probably tripped the "abusive behaviour" rule at some point, which means the moderators will make it right if you report it to them (publicizing that you hate someone on the site will do no good, on that note). If a major change to the site soured your feelings towards the entirety of MLP Forums and its staff, then we may have done something wrong and would be very interested in hearing specific feedback on what you hated about what was done.

 

In almost any other case, you've got a personal reason to leave that the entire Internet probably doesn't need to know about. I'm thinking, if you quietly leave a note on your profile explaining that you aren't around anymore (perhaps with an accompanying status update), those members who notice your loss will come along and see your note. If they really care to know why you've left, they can send you a private message or contact you using any other contact methods you left for them.

 

An argument could even be made that "I'm leaving" topics are not conducive to discussion, and should therefore be locked or removed on sight anyway. Formally banning them may not be all that bad an idea, as creating such a topic is ultimately a self-indulgent attempt to attract attention to yourself. It takes some ego to think yourself important enough to warrant a prominent community-wide proclamation of your leaving.

[Fox 5,330]

 

I've certainly noticed a trend of "I'm leaving forever!" topics causing some minor drama at best, and convincing other members to leave as well at worst. And I have also seen more than just a few people who openly declared their intentions to leave return - often sooner rather than later.

 

It's a complex issue to address, because you never know how sincere the member claiming that their time with MLP Forums is over may be.

 

 

 

Depending on how you look at it, banning "goodbye" threads may be a drastic step to take, as we would thereby choke off a method of letting the community know that you won't be around anymore. If you have made a significant investment into the community and became a well-known user, I think it's only fair that you have a way of notifying people that you're leaving.

 

But on the other hand, "Goodbye"-type topics are a method of selfishly harping on yourself by attempting to attract the entire site's attention to the fact that you're leaving. Honestly, I'm not sure how much it can really do other than cause unwarranted drama, especially considering how vague many of these topics tend to be with their reasons for the leave. "The forums have changed" or "There is someone harassing me privately (whom I refuse to add to my ignore list and report to the moderators)" are two prime examples of common reasons for leaving that accomplish absolutely nothing constructive.

 

In the case of an issue between two members making them unable to stand each other, one of them probably tripped the "abusive behaviour" rule at some point, which means the moderators will make it right if you report it to them (publicizing that you hate someone on the site will do no good, on that note). If a major change to the site soured your feelings towards the entirety of MLP Forums and its staff, then we may have done something wrong and would be very interested in hearing specific feedback on what you hated about what was done.

 

In almost any other case, you've got a personal reason to leave that the entire Internet probably doesn't need to know about. I'm thinking, if you quietly leave a note on your profile explaining that you aren't around anymore (perhaps with an accompanying status update), those members who notice your loss will come along and see your note. If they really care to know why you've left, they can send you a private message or contact you using any other contact methods you left for them.

 

An argument could even be made that "I'm leaving" topics are not conducive to discussion, and should therefore be locked or removed on sight anyway. Formally banning them may not be all that bad an idea, as creating such a topic is ultimately a self-indulgent attempt to attract attention to yourself. It takes some ego to think yourself important enough to warrant a prominent community-wide proclamation of your leaving.

 

 

 

I completely agree with having a "Goodbye" thread for users that have made their stay, and added to the forum! Although, when I said, "What I'm asking for the moderating team, is hiding unnecessary "Goodbye" threads." I meant to close that thread, and if it was more necessary as a status update. Like for what the moderators do when there's little content in a thread, and suggest it be best as a status update. Not my choice, but what the moderator feels what's best if it is to be continued still as a thread.

[Bronium 512]

Honestly, with the addition of the blogging system, the whole "Goodbye, I'm leaving" fits perfectly into the blog format. I mean it's purpose is to be able to write extended status updates (which is what a "Goodbye, I'm leaving" is). So just tell the user to make a blog entry about them leaving, rather than a whole new topic, which honestly doesn't have anything to discuss.

 

So I guess you can lock the thread. Just tell them to make a blog post (which is what we do with threads that are suitable for blog posts already?)

Edited September 17, 2012 by Bronium

[Twilight Sparkle ✨ 8,527]

I completely agree with having a "Goodbye" thread for users that have made their stay, and added to the forum! Although, when I said, "What I'm asking for the moderating team, is hiding unnecessary "Goodbye" threads." I meant to close that thread, and if it was more necessary as a status update. Like for what the moderators do when there's little content in a thread, and suggest it be best as a status update. Not my choice, but what the moderator feels what's best if it is to be continued still as a thread.

 

Past experience shows that sour feelings tend to be turned towards the moderating staff when they are trusted with making a discretionary call on whether a piece of content deserves to stay or not. That is a can of worms we try to keep firmly shut as much as possible, or we'll soon be getting hell from members arguing "Why did you pull my thread down and let this other guy's stay up? I've done so much more for the site than him!"

 

There is no one metric against which we can judge who has "made their stay and contributed to the forum". People would interpret such a rule as "You are not allowed to make a goodbye thread unless you have contributed to the site."

 

Define "contributed to MLP Forums" for me in two sentences or less with no room for misinterpretation, and that may just work. Realistically, it will only create elitism and scare newer users off (and you never know when one of these new users may turn out to be a really awesome person).

 

It has to be an all-or-nothing deal. We simply cannot introduce a rule that selectively applies to some goodbye threads and not others.

[Fox 5,330]

I see what you mean, but I like Bronium's suggestion about bloggin' it. Seems most appropriate in my eyes. I see how this would enable elitism, except it's somewhat similar to the moderators resigning threads. Like they contributed right? It's no different from a regular user? There's a sense of elitism already established. Except, it is different on it's own level, and we have to respect the moderators for what they do to maintain a safe happy forum. Just explaining how some might view your loophole of elitism. Not to be too critical. O_O

[Crispy 5,563]

What I'm asking for the moderating team, is hiding unnecessary "Goodbye" threads.

 

I dunno. I mean, there's only drama if you allow there to be. There's nothing saying you have to reply or even pay attention to a leaving thread, just like any other thread out there that doesn't interest you.

[Fox 5,330]

I dunno. I mean, there's only drama if you allow there to be. There's nothing saying you have to reply or even pay attention to a leaving thread, just like any other thread out there that doesn't interest you.

 

It's true, but like a lot of people take things too seriously. How they do that is take something really offensively, but you always have to be careful what you say because you never know who might be too fragile, and break.

[Zoop 8,384]

Honestly, my thought is that these things should be best kept to blog posts, status updates, and/or private messages - those venues are very well suited toward personal topics that probably won't be of any great interest to the majority of the forum-going community, and that are largely lacking in discussion value.

 

Better yet, why not forego your declarations entirely? That way you won't look silly if you end up rethinking your decision to depart.

[NavelColt 22,881]

I'm just gonna come in and mimic what's been said, in that I think keeping goodbyes to blogs and not topics is a far better and more efficient idea. A goodbye, something that's about you personally and not really the forum, really belongs in blogs anyway. It doesn't belong in Life Advice, really, considering you're not looking for advice, you're looking for somewhere to post an announcement about yourself leaving for an indefinite period of time. It's personal to you, not a discussion that anyone can really take full part in.